Banners, table runners, roll-up displays

Monday morning, my client, Chloe, emailed me with a couple of quick questions. Chloe handles the marketing for her company’s subsidiaries, and she always seems a little breathless. She wanted to know if we had ever designed any banners, table runners, or roll-up displays for a particular subsidiary. If we had not, she wondered how quickly we could we get them done and whether it was at all possible to have a table runner made and shipped out of town by Wednesday night. Quick questions; tall order.

This two-day request meant it was a very hot deadline.We had only a few hours to design everything, have it approved, and get a proof (to check color accuracy) from the vendor, print, and sew. I wrote back, “Might be tough to do and requires rush charges. Let me check with my vendors.”

Chloe’s company has a set formula for community events or conferences: a 3×4-foot vinyl banner, a roll-up display, and a large table runner, each branded with the company logo. We design the graphics and coordinate printing with different vendors.

I told her it was possible to print a roll-up and a banner and deliver on Wednesday. The table runner would require another day and could be delivered on Thursday. “If you’d like us to start the design process,” I said, “please send me the following information ASAP: tag line (if applicable), website (URL), and a high-resolution photo that represents this subsidiary. Please let me know if you want to proceed.”

The emails flew back and forth for an hour, including my estimate for creative and display materials. Finally, we had a green light to proceed with everything. Everyone was on high alert.

Then, the light turned yellow. Chloe said she had talked to the subsidiary office, and they already had roll-up displays. OK, that’s a red light for one vendor.

Next, the vinyl banner fizzled out. It wasn’t what the subsidiary really wanted. Instead, they requested a sign. I called to get additional estimates and sizes. In the meantime, I sent a layout for a table runner. I sensed there was something missing in the emails, especially with the rush deadline. Time to call Chloe and have a personal conversation.